Villa Park hosts shootout between Birmingham journalists

Birmingham Mail business editor Jon Griffin will go head to head with John Duckers in charity challenge

A penalty shootout with a difference is to be held at Villa Park – between two award-winning business journalists.

Birmingham Mail business editor Jon Griffin and former Birmingham Post business editor John Duckers are to dust off their boots in front of around 40,000 people for the charity event.

The shootout will take place at half-time during next month’s Manchester City game, with two teams of three taking 12 penalties in total.

Aston Villa agreed to the shootout after Griffin and Duckers shared last year’s Midlands Business Journalist of the Year when judges appointed by event organisers Birmingham Press Club were unable to separate their entries.

The two writers decided the title should go to a shootout and Villa officials agreed the event could be held in front of a packed crowd at the home game against the current league champions on Monday March 4.

John Duckers and Jon Griffin

The event is being held to raise funds for leading regional charity Acorns Hospice, which helps terminally-ill children and their families, providing hospice care at centres in Selly Oak, Walsall and Worcester.

It is being supported financially by Barclays Bank, who sponsored last year’s Midlands Business Journalist of the Year award.

Griffin and Duckers will each captain two teams of three and the event will be refereed by regional Barclays executive Ray O’Donoghue – while a surprise celebrity is being approached to act as goalkeeper on the night. Organisers hope that two former Villa players may make up the two teams.

Griffin, 57, said: “I last kicked a ball in anger over 20 years ago but this is such a good cause that I’m quite prepared to make a fool of myself in front of 40,000 people.”

Duckers, 61, said: “Rugby has always been my game rather than football so I already have a good excuse if the ball flies over the bar.”

*Win the chance to take part in the penalty shootout at Villa Park – and raise money for Acorns Children’s Hospice.

We’re looking for two young Villa fans between the ages of 11 and 14 to join our captains and take two penalties each at half-time during the Aston Villa v Manchester City match on Monday, March 4.

Birmingham Press Club is providing four stand tickets for the two winners and a parent EACH to enjoy the game as Villa take on the reigning Premier League champions.

If you’re aged between 11 and 14 years old, just answer the following question to be in with a chance of winning:

Who has the scored the most goals for Aston Villa this season?

1 Christian Benteke

2 Gabriel Agbonlahor

3 Andreas Weimann

How to enter: Call 0901 307 6471 and follow instructions (51p/call) or text BM2 to 85858 followed by a space, then your answer (1, 2 or 3), your full name, address and postcode (50p/text). Make sure you have permission from whoever pays the bill and please dial carefully.

Terms & Conditions: 1. Lines close 9am on Friday 22nd February. Landline calls cost 51p/call plus network extras max 2.5 mins. Payphones and mobiles will be higher. Texts cost 50p each plus one standard network rate message. For SMS you may receive details of other related promotional offers and services, if you do not wish to receive these add NOINFO to the end of your message. Entries received after the closing date will not be counted but you may still be charged.

2. 50% of profit on revenues will be donated to Acorns Children’s Hospice.

3.Two winners will be selected at random after lines close from all correct entries received. Proof of age will be required and the winners must be accompanied by an adult.

4. Two prizes of taking part in the Duckers vs Griffin penalty shootout at Aston Villa vs Man City on March 4th at Villa Park, including tickets.

5. Participation in the shoot-out is at the winner’s own risk. Kits will be provided. Footwear on the pitch must be trainers.